Notts County currently find themselves within an ongoing battle to secure a place in the League Two play-off places after slipping to a run of four league matches without a victory.
The Magpies are currently 9th in League Two, but despite losing just four times in the division so far this season and sitting two points outside of the top seven, their league form has taken a dip in recent weeks.
With the January transfer window opening in a matter of weeks, clubs across the EFL are beginning to identify potential targets to help them achieve their respective goals and this is the case for Notts County.
Stuart Maynard’s side have identified a potential target to boost their play-off aspirations but face plenty of competition.
Notts County target Premier League forward
As reported by journalist Pete O’Rourke, Notts County are one of several League Two clubs that are lining up a loan swoop for Nottingham Forest forward Joe Gardner during the January transfer window.
The Magpies are expected to face competition from Doncaster Rovers, Harrogate Town and Morecambe for Gardner’s signature for the second half of the League Two season.
Despite fellow strikers David McGoldrick and Alassana Jatta grabbing 14 league goals between them, loanee Jevani Brown is yet to score and the impact of this has shown.
How has Gardner fared this season?
The 19-year-old has made 14 appearances for Nottingham Forest’s U21s in all competitions so far this season, scoring five goals and providing an additional assist. This includes his goal against fellow League Two side Carlisle United in the EFL Trophy.
Gardner has led the line on plenty of occasions for Nottingham Forest’s U21s this season but does possess the ability to operate as a number ten which adds further versatility options to the Magpies if they were to land him.
Do Notts County need a striker?
Last season, Notts County averaged 1.93 goals per 90 minutes in League Two alone, but following an injury to Jodi Jones as well as the summer departure of Macaulay Langstaff, this has dropped to 1.39.
Seven of the club’s last nine league goals have been scored by either McGoldrick or Jatta which is a cause for concern, especially if one of those players suffers an injury.
Also with Cledwyn Scott slowly returning to the first-team picture in recent weeks, there is a likelihood that Notts County will be targeting another attacker to try and add goals himself, taking pressure off Scott, Jatta and McGoldrick in the second half of the season.